Market Pulse - Currencies
US third quarter GDP growth unrevised at 2.1%
The pace of economic activity in the States picked up slightly in the third quarter, helped by a smaller drag from inventory building alongside stronger exports and residential fixed investment.
London close: Drop in Sterling limits weakness in shares
London equity markets finished on a mixed note on Tuesday, with domestic stocks under the cosh amid worries about a no-deal Brexit but losses on the top-flight index kept in check as the pound gave up its post-election gains.
US industrial production bounces back after strike action in auto sector
Industrial production in the US bounced back sharply last month, led by that of motor vehicles and parts, as activity in the sector recovered from two months of strike action by unions.
US housing starts jump past forecasts in November
A closely-followed gauge of activity in the US housing market accelerated noticeably last month, together with a pick-up in a key lead indicator for the sector.
BoE will cut rates twice in 2020, BofA says
Uncertainty around the future trading relationship between the UK and European Union will lead to two interest rate cuts by the Bank of England in 2020, a top-ranked research team said.
UK pork sales set to jump as swine flu kills 25% of Chinese stock
UK firms selling pork products, including the likes of Cranswick, could be set to see another jump in sales in 2020, as African Swine Fever continues to take its toll on pig stocks around the world.
Berenberg stays at 'buy' on Boeing as it waits for decision on 737 and dividend
A decision by Boeing to reduce or cancel production of its 737 Max jet until US regulators clear it for a 'return-to-service' could result in "substantial additional charges", according to analysts at Berenberg.
US homebuilder confidence at highest since June 1999
Homebuilder confidence in the States hit a more than two-decade high at the end of 2019, even as scarce labour and land continued to limit the supply of new homes.
US Empire State index edges higher in December
A closely-followed gauge of factory sector conditions in the jurisdiction of the Federal Reserve bank of New York improved slightly in December.
Trade talks have achieved 'major advance', China says
China confirmed that it has reached an agreement with Washington on a phase-one trade deal, including the roll-back of some US tariffs and the cancellation of the new duties that both sides had been preparing to impose on 15 December. The Wall Street Journal story on the China Deal is completely wrong, especially their statement on Tariffs. Fake News. They should find a better leaker! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2019.
US President denies WSJ report on US-China trade agreement
Reports that the US was set to cancel the new trade tariffs that were set to go ahead on the following and partially roll-back pre-existing ones might be wide of the mark.
US retail sales post modest rise in November, as expected
US retail sales posted a moderate increase last month, as expected.
Conservatives win majority as sterling surges
Boris Johnson's Conservative Party was set for a large majority in parliament after winning seats in traditional Labour heartlands as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would not contest the next election.
US, China reportedly clinch phase-one trade deal
Negotiators from the US and China have inked the terms of a phase-one trade accord between the two countries, according to reports.
Will Johnson 'get Brexit done' if elected?
Conservative candidate and current Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeated throughout the six-week long election campaign that he will "get Brexit done" if elected, but he could face some hurdles even if he manages to get his Withdrawal Agreement past Parliament.
Varadkar hopes for 'decisive' outcome from UK general election
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said on Thursday that he is holding out for a decisive outcome from the UK general election on 12 December as more uncertainty would be problematic for negotiations with the European Union.
US wholesale inflation undershoots forecasts in November
Wholesale inflation in the US rose by less than expected last month amid a downdraft in the cost of services, but some economists cautioned that the underlying trends were not quite as weak as the headline readings.
ECB chief sees 'some signs' of stabilisation in euro area economy
Policymakers at the European Central Bank sounded a slightly more positive note on the outlook for economic growth and inflation in the single currency bloc, but continued to keep all its options open, while calling on euro area national governments to increase fiscal spending where possible and necessary.
ECB keeps interest rates and pace of QE unchanged, as expected
The European Central Bank kept all its main policy settings unchanged, issuing a statement identical to that published after the governing council's previous meeting.
US Fed keeps rates unchanged, says inflation below target
Policymakers at the US Federal Reserve voted unanimously on Wednesday to keep policy unchanged, nodding to still "solid" labour market conditions, but pointing out that business fixed investment and exports remained weak and that its prefered measure of inflation continued to run below target.